Scholarships and Discounts

USAC awards over $2 million in scholarships and discounts each year to assist students with their study abroad expenses. We have a variety of funding opportunities available for students enrolled in USAC programs. We also encourage students to research online for other financial aid and scholarships resources that are available to students studying abroad. If you have questions regarding scholarships, feel free to contact the USAC Scholarship Team at scholarships@usac.edu.

USAC Scholarship Opportunities

First Generation Scholarship

Any degree-seeking student with a minimum 3.0 GPA and whose parents did not graduate from a 4-year college or university is eligible for this scholarship. Multiple awards will be given in the amount of $750-$1,000.

Military Service Scholarship

All degree-seeking U.S. Military Personnel (active or veteran status) with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible for this scholarship. Multiple awards will be given in the amount of $750-$1,000.

Regional Scholarships

We pride ourselves on providing well-rounded, academically sound and credible programs in non-traditional locations or in unique parts of more traditional places. Scholarships are available for each of the five geographic regions with USAC programs (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania). All degree-seeking students with a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible. Multiple awards ranging from $500-$1,000 will be awarded each semester.

Affiliate University Scholarship

Degree-seeking students attending a USAC Affiliate University, consult your home university's study abroad office for details whether USAC scholarships are available. If you are eligible, you will apply directly through your home university.

Explorer Scholarship

If you do not attend a USAC Affiliate University and are a degree-seeking student with a minimum 3.0 GPA, you will be eligible for the Explorer Scholarship. In some instances, we may have scholarships specifically allocated to your university as well.

USAC Legacy Scholarship

To honor USAC's long history in international education, Legacy Scholarships are available to degree-seeking students who are the children, siblings, and spouses of alumni (a paying participant who previously attended a USAC Program) who have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Awards will be given in the amount of $300 for summer session or $500 for semester and are limited to one award per student.

Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering (STEM) Scholarship

USAC Program-Specific Scholarships

Dr. Marianne Cooley Study Abroad Scholarship (China)

Dr. Marianne Cooley is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston who has served as a USAC Visiting Professor on both the Chengdu and Shanghai, China programs. Degree-seeking students attending the Chengdu or Shanghai, China programs with a minimum 2.5 GPA are eligible for this scholarship, which will be awarded each semester. Preference will be given to yearlong students.

Frank and Thu Triplett Study Abroad Scholarship (France)

Dr. Frank Triplett is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Mount Union who served as a USAC Visiting Professor in Pau, France on three separate occasions. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.5 GPA attending the Lyon or Pau, France programs are eligible for this scholarship, which will be awarded each fall and spring semester. Preference will be given to students with high financial need.

Colin Proctor, USAC Torino alumnus of Fall 2010, founded this scholarship with his sister, Megan Proctor, in memory of their late mother, who encouraged and supported their desires to study abroad. Colin majored in Accounting and Finance at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and his time in Torino and traveling throughout Europe inspired him to continue traveling and pursuing his goals after graduation. He has traveled to more than 50 countries and is a Certified Public Accountant and entrepreneur. Megan studied abroad in Singapore while pursuing her law degree at the University of British Columbia and has visited more than 30 countries. Both Colin and Megan continue to use the skills they learned abroad in their personal and professional lives.

Fall eligibility: Degree-seeking students participating in the Torino, Italy program. Preference will be given to students with high financial need.

Spring eligibility: Degree-seeking students participating in a Thailand program who are declared majors or minors in political science, legal studies, pre-law, nursing, and/or pre-nursing. Preference will be given to students with high financial need.

Frank and Carol Nota (Italy)

Frank and Carol Nota, the parents of USAC CEO, Alyssa Nota, were educators for over 35 years – touching the lives of thousands of students—and both were deeply committed to education, travel, family and their Italian heritage. They embodied and instilled in their 3 children the development of integrity and character that come from education – at home, abroad and in every part of one’s life.

Degree-seeking students with a declared major or minor in English, history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, Italian language/cultural studies, or education and a minimum 3.0 GPA attending a Summer 2018 or Spring 2019 Italy program are eligible. Two $500 awards will be given in Summer 2018 and one $1000 award will be given in Spring 2019.

Carmelo Urza (San Sebastián or Bilbao, Spain)

Dr. Carmelo Urza is the USAC founder and CEO Emeritus. His early life was greatly influenced by the North American Basque Organizations (NABO) and helped to inspire the creation of USAC, with the inaugural program starting in 1983 in the Basque Country. Degree-seeking students who are NABO members or whose parents are NABO members, hold a 3.2 GPA or above, and are participating on the San Sebastián or Bilbao program are eligible to apply. An award of $2,000 will be granted each fall and spring.

In addition to completing the USAC Scholarship Application in your USAC Gateway Account, eligible students must complete the Carmelo Urza Scholarship Application Form. The deadline to apply is November 1, 2018 for Spring 2019; March 15, 2019 for Fall 2019; and October 15, 2019 for Spring 2020.

University of Bristol (Bristol, England)

The University of Bristol, USAC's longtime partner in hosting students in England, is offering £2,000 scholarships to help USAC students make their dreams of studying in England come true. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 3.25 GPA who will study at the University of Bristol for a semester or year are eligible, and preference will be given to STEM and yearlong students. Funds will be awarded on-site.

Massey University Scholarship (New Zealand)

Massey University, USAC's longtime partner in hosting students in New Zealand, is offering scholarships of $1,000 NZD (~$700 USD) and $500 NZD (~$400 USD) to help USAC students make their dreams of studying in New Zealand come true. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.75 GPA who will study at any of Massey's campus locations in New Zealand—Palmerston North, Auckland, or Wellington—are eligible.

Dr. Félix Menchacatorre taught on and directed the Spain programs for 25 years, building programs in San Sebastián, Bilbao/Getxo, Madrid, and Alicante. Additionally, he was instrumental in developing other programs and shaping what USAC is today. This $500 memorial scholarship is available each semester to degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.75 GPA attending the San Sebastián or Bilbao program, and preference is given to yearlong students. University of Nevada, Reno students must also have completed their MyNevada General Scholarship Application by February 1 to be eligible.

Kody Bressman Memorial Scholarship (San Sebastián, Spain)

Kody Bressman was an honors student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas who graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration, with a focus in Accounting and Spanish. While in college, Kody studied abroad in San Sebastián, Spain and lived with a Basque host family for six months. During his time on the USAC program he made many friends and became extremely close to his host family.

Kody's passion and throttle for life was dynamic. He loved and cherished his family and friends as a caring son, a loving brother, an inspiration, and a friend to everyone he met. Degree-seeking students participating in a San Sebastián program with a minimum GPA of 2.75 are eligible. Multiple awards ranging from $500-$2,500 will be awarded each semester.

USAC/University of Nevada, Reno Scholarships

Mullen, Hidalgo, Sandoval Scholarship

Sean Mullen is a Reno native and USAC alumnus who studied on the Santiago, Chile program and named this scholarship in honor of his Chilean host family. This $1500 scholarship is available in the fall and spring semesters to degree-seeking University of Nevada, Reno students who meet their program minimum GPA.

Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship funded by the Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation and is available to degree-seeking University of Nevada, Reno students who hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, graduated from a Carson City, Douglas, or Washoe County high school, are first-generation and/or demonstrate high financial need (EFC under $8000), and have completed their MyNevada General Scholarship Application by February 1. Multiple $1000 scholarships are awarded each fall and spring.

R.J. Simcoe Memorial Scholarship

This $500 scholarship was created in memory of Richard John "R.J." Simcoe. R.J. was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno who studied in San Sebastián. Degree-seeking University of Nevada, Reno students who are Nevada residents, hold a minimum 2.75 GPA, and are attending any Spain program are eligible. Eligible students must also have completed their MyNevada General Scholarship Application by February 1. Two $500 awards will be given each fall.

Diversity Excellence Scholarship

This scholarship promotes diversity on USAC programs and is available to degree-seeking University of Nevada, Reno students who hold a minimum 3.0 GPA. Award amounts range from $500-$1000 and are available in every term.

Honors Program Scholarship

This scholarship is available to University of Nevada, Reno Honors Program students. Degree-seeking Honors Program students must be in good standing, participate in a program of at least 3 weeks in length, have completed at least 15 Honors credits and 32 total credits at the University of Nevada, Reno, and be pursuing Honors credit through the study abroad experience. Eligible students must complete the USAC Scholarship Application and Honors/USAC Study Abroad Scholarship Application.

USAC Discounts

Returning/Extending Student Discount

This discount applies to all USAC students with no outstanding balance who return or extend to a USAC Specialty program. Students who return from or are currently participating on a USAC semester/year program are eligible for $500 discount for a semester/year Specialty program or $300 discount for a summer or January Specialty program. Students who return from or are currently participating on a USAC summer or January program are eligible for $300 discount for a semester/year Specialty program or $100 discount for another summer or January Specialty program.

Consortium Faculty, Staff, and Their Dependents

Current full-time permanent faculty and staff (or their spouses or dependents), employed for at least one year at a USAC Affiliate University and returning to the university after the term abroad, are eligible for a discount on USAC Specialty programs of $300 for a summer or January program or $500 for a semester or year program. Before applying to a program, individuals who are eligible for this discount should inform their Study Abroad Office of their plans to study abroad with USAC at this discount and ask the Study Abroad Office to notify their USAC University Relations Coordinator to ensure the discount is applied properly.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students with limited resources. All students who receive a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad program are strongly encouraged to apply. Award amounts will vary based on student's ranking during the selection process, their financial need, and length of program; however, the average award is $4,000.

For more information about the Gilman Scholarship program, click here or talk with your Study Abroad Advisor.

The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers 100 scholarships annually to American undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in Japan. USAC students attending the Hiroshima, Nagasaki, or Osaka/Kobe programs are eligible.

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide funding for US undergraduate and graduate students to study in world regions critical to the future security of our nation and underrepresented in study abroad.

Freeman-ASIA accepts applications from U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

For more information about the Freeman-Asia scholarship program click here or talk with your Study Abroad Advisor.

USAC is proud to join the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) as an Access Partner in the shared commitment to increase the number of underrepresented American undergraduates studying abroad through the provision of scholarships!

Students with financial need who are participating on USAC programs may apply for FEA-USAC Access Scholarships of up to $5,000 and will also be considered for FEA’s general scholarships.

This scholarship program is intended to diversify study abroad and to encourage students to go abroad who would otherwise not participate in an international experience as part of their college education, especially in support of high-achieving, low-income students.